Model D-12 Electric Toaster (1909)

Today, the electric toaster is one of the most common small appliances and is found in almost every American kitchen. But way back in 1909, General Electric’s Model D-12 Electric Toaster was an innovation. For as little as $3, you could own this handy little wonder, whose heating elements were made of Nichrome wire (a nickel-chrome alloy) wrapped around plates of mica. While our modern toasters are enclosed and pop up when the toast is ready, they still operate on the same basic principles.